Five-goal Fenerbahce rally past Feyenoord, Rangers to meet Club Brugge / Photo: Ozan KOSE - AFP
Five-goal Fenerbahce rally past Feyenoord, Rangers to meet Club Brugge
Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce rallied past Dutch club Feyenoord on Tuesday to advance 6-4 on aggregate into the Champions League qualifying playoffs.
Fenerbahce had lost 2-1 in the Netherlands last week and were a goal down in the second leg of the third qualifying round in Istanbul after Feyenoord defender Tsuyoshi Watanabe struck the first of his two goals on the night after 41 minutes for Robin van Persie's side.
But Mourinho's team fought back with goals from Archie Brown and Jhon Duran just before the break getting the hosts back on track with Fred, Youssef En-Nesyri and Talisca adding three more in a thrilling second half for a 5-2 win on the night.
Fenerbahce will host Benfica, who beat Nice 4-0 on aggregate, in the first leg of the playoff round next week with a place in the 36-team league phase at stake.
In Lisbon, Benfica defeated the French club 2-0 on the night thanks to goals from Norwegian duo Fredrik Aursnes (19) and Andreas Schjelderup (27).
Elsewhere, Rangers advanced past Czech team Viktoria Plzen 4-2 over two legs and next play Club Brugge, who reached the last 16 of the Champions League last season.
Rangers had won 3-0 at Ibrox last week but fell to a 2-1 defeat on Tuesday with Lyall Cameron opening his account for the club with a consolation strike.
"We had some really good moments, but disappointed how many shots we gave them, how many chances we gave them," said Rangers manager Russell Martin.
"So, again, another brilliant bit of learning and we're through to the last qualifying round for the Champions League, but I am annoyed.
"That wasn't enough. There's too many scary moments."
Club Brugge came back from a two-goal deficit on the night to beat RB Salzburg 3-2 at home and advance 4-2 on aggregate.
St.Ch.Russell--EWJ
Featured